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Tire Rack Problems

31 messages,  Last post on Jul 20, 2008 at 9:38 AM

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What is this discussion about? Wheels


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#1 of 31
Tire Rack Problems by fiatfan
Jun 12, 2006 (9:07 am)
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Just a warning to those who are looking for new alloy wheels for their car. I have had a terrible experience with Tire Rack. I bought 4 new 17" Sport Edition Wheels with new Continental tires from Tire Rack to use in the summer for my 2000 Passat wagon. All 4 wheels bent in less than 6 months. So, I called Tire Rack and they gave me a small discount on 4 new Borbet wheels that are supposed to be "much stronger". I have since bent 7 of these wheels. I even went so far as to buy new tires with reinforced sidewalls to help. We didn't go 2 weeks before 2 more wheels bent. All this on a car that my wife drives to work and back on the highway.
 
I have come to the very expensive and frustating conclusion that Tire Rack is selling substandard wheels. I have purchased from them for 25 years, but I will never buy from them again.
 
Be aware of this before you buy. Their prices are good, but unless you just leave the car in the garage, you will have lots of bent wheels and a dangerous car to drive.
#2 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [fiatfan] by tidester HOST
Jun 12, 2006 (9:39 am)
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Replying to: fiatfan (Jun 12, 2006 9:07 am)

You may want to visit Tires, tires, tires.
 
tidester, host
#3 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [tidester] by fiatfan
Jun 12, 2006 (12:10 pm)
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Replying to: tidester (Jun 12, 2006 9:39 am)

I figured since it was a wheel problem, it would not be appropriate for the tire section. The tires I have received from Tire Rack have been fine. The wheels have been a disaster. Especially, since a neighbor has a Passat with the VW 17" wheels and same profile tires and has never had a problem.
#4 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [fiatfan] by tidester HOST
Jun 12, 2006 (3:35 pm)
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Replying to: fiatfan (Jun 12, 2006 12:10 pm)

Oh, that's fine! I thought the Tires Forum may also be helpful.
 
tidester, host
#5 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [fiatfan] by tisse32
Mar 22, 2007 (11:22 am)
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Replying to: fiatfan (Jun 12, 2006 9:07 am)

Wait, you bent almost a dozen wheels in six months?! Either your town needs to fix the roads, or your wife is rallying the car.
#6 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [tisse32] by fiatfan
Mar 22, 2007 (12:55 pm)
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Replying to: tisse32 (Mar 22, 2007 11:22 am)

Actually my wife is a very conservative driver. We have never had a single wheel problem on any other car. The 18" wheels on my RX8 have been fine. The 16" wheels on my Kia have also never had an issue. Tire Rack just kept saying it was our fault, but obviously, it's not.
#7 of 31
Re: Tire Rack Problems [fiatfan] by kiawah
Mar 22, 2007 (1:09 pm)
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Replying to: fiatfan (Mar 22, 2007 12:55 pm)

Could it possibly be the location that is doing the install?
 
What is the symptom that you notice? Wobble(ie rim bent)?
 
or Vibration (ie throwing off the balance weights)?
#8 of 31
I have had similar experiences by tltypek
Apr 01, 2007 (11:57 am)
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My 17" SSR GT1s are bent and out of round. Never had a bent wheel before in my life, even living in the harshest driving environments. The car has been babied (as all my cars are!) but my wheels are shot. Two years of fighting this battle and counting.... I complained to Tire Rack and they placed the blame on me. Then they tried to shift it to the installer (and his Hunter machines). Then they offered a small credit if I bought new wheels, then told me they don't carry the wheels anymore in my size but "they are great wheels". Now I notice all the SSR wheels seem to be on closeout. SSR won't respond to customer inquiries, and Tire Rack is the only US distributor. I'd say something fishy is going on. Meanwhile, there are no other wheels on the market that fit my Acura TL-S with Brembo Gran Turismo brakes...
#9 of 31
Re: I have had similar experiences [tltypek] by fiatfan
Apr 01, 2007 (2:28 pm)
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Replying to: tltypek (Apr 01, 2007 11:57 am)

I have given up on my Borbet wheels and they have been sitting in the basement with the new Kumho tires mounted. I hate to think how much money I spent on this disaster with Tire Rack. They said they same thing to me, "they are great wheels" and "no one else has had a problem". They blamed the roads, the car, our driving, never the fact the wheels are junk. The originals are back on the car and it has been trouble free.
#10 of 31
Re: I have had similar experiences [fiatfan] by kewaydin
Apr 21, 2007 (4:13 pm)
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Replying to: fiatfan (Apr 01, 2007 2:28 pm)

I also had a similar experience. I installed new Borbet wheels and tires from Tire Rack last Sunday. After experiencing terrible vibrations, I called Tire Rack Thursday to complain. They suggested re-balancing, so I saw their recommended installer on Friday who told me I had three bent rims. I've never bent a rim in my 20+ years of driving, but in less than 50 miles, and less than a week, somehow three became bent? Either the wheels came that way, or they're junk. Apparently a tire tech will review the case and call on Monday, but from what I've read here I don't expect a satisfactory resolution.

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